AGRIC.  DEFT 


THE 

CULTIVATION 

OF 

CITRUS 
FRUITS 

A  Short  Treatise 

with  Special  Reference  to 

Fertilization. 


HILLMAN 


Second  Edition,  Revised  and  Extended 


PUBLISHED  BY 

WILLIAM  S.  MYERS,  F.C.S.,  Director, 

Nitrate  of  Soda  Propaganda. 
Late  of  New  Jersey  State  Agricultural  College. 

John  Street  and  71  Nassau,  New  York,  U.  S.  A, 


THE  Nitrate  Propaganda  is  not  engaged  in  the 
Sale  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  but  will  furnish  a  list  of 
dealers  to  all  who  apply  for  it* 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  original  package  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  contains  approximately  200  Ibs*  of  normally 
dry  Nitrate  of  Soda* 

Nitrate  of  Soda  is  generally  sold  in  the  original  pack- 
ages and  should  be  stored  or  kept  in  a  dry  place*  Glass 
Works  and  Manufacturers  of  Dynamite  and  Gunpowder 
usually  have  Nitrate  on  hand* 

If  you  have  any  difficulty  in  obtaining  Nitrate,  either 
by  reason  of  prohibitive  prices  or  undue  delays  or  on 
account  of  inability  of  dealers  to  supply  you  promptly,  let 
me  know  at  once,  and  the  difficulty  will  be  investigated 
immediately* 

Correspondence  concerning  excessive  freight  charges 
is  invited*  Nitrate  is  sometimes  discriminated  against  by 
the  Transportation  Companies  by  charging  a  chemical  rate 
instead  of  a  fertilizer  rate;  please  secure  and  forward  all  the 
facts,  including  Freight  Receipts* 

When  ordering  Nitrate,  please  be  sure  to  request  your 
Dealer,  Manufacturer  or  Importer  to  have  your  invoice 
clearly  and  distinctly  marked  as  "Fertilizer*"  This  is 
necessary  that  this  valuable  Farm  Chemical  may  be 
properly  classified  in  order  to  avoid  the  discrimination 
practised  by  the  Railroads  against  Nitrate* 

WILLIAM  S.  MYERS,  Director 

NITRATE  PROPAGANDA 
John  Street  and  7*  Nassau,  New  York 


The  Cultivation 

of 

CITRUS  FRUITS 


A  Short  Treatise 

with  Special  Reference  to 

Fertilization. 


HILLMAN 


Second  Edition,  Revised  and  Extended 


PUBLISHED  BY 

WILLIAM   S.  MYERS,  F.C.S.,  Director, 

Nitrate  of  Soda  Propaganda. 
Late  of  New  Jersey  State  Agricultural  College. 

John  Street  and  71  Nassau,  New  York,  U.  S.  A, 


:^> 


LtnfetiHHK*/ 

r*f 
^.^ 

Published  February,  1907. 


Preface. 

The  following  leading  authorities,   among  others,  have  been  consulted 
in  the  preparation  of  this  work  : 

1 .  California  Fruits  and  How  to  Grow  Them  ,•  by  Edward  J.  Wickson, 

A.M.,  San  Francisco,  1900. 

2.  Citrus  Fruit  Growing  in  the  Gulf  States  ;  by  P.  H.  Rolfs  ;  Farmers' 

Bulletin  No.  238,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 

3.  Citrus  Fruit  Culture  /  by  J.  W.  Mills  ;  Bulletin  No.  138,  University 

of  California,  Agricultural   Experiment  Station,  Sacramento,  1902. 

4.  Twenty-second  Report  of  the  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  of  the 

University  of  California,  Sacramento,  1904. 

5.  Annual  Report  of  the  Porto    Rico    Agricultural  Experiment  Station, 

1904;  by  D.  W.  May;  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  Office 
of  Experiment  Stations. 

6.  Propagation     and     Marketing    of    Oranges    in     Porto     Rico;     by 

H.    C.    Henricksen  ;     Bulletin   No.    4,    Porto    Rico    Agricultural 
Experiment  Station  ;  Washington,  1904. 

7.  Citrus    Fruits    in  Hawaii  ;    by   J.    E.    Higgins ;    Bulletin    No.    9, 

Hawaii  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  ;   Washington,  1905. 

8.  Pomelos;  by  H.    Harold  Hume;  Bulletin  No.  58,   Florida  Agricul- 

tural Experiment  Station  ;  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  1901, 

9.  El  Naranjo  ;  por  el  Dr.  B.  Alino  ;  Valencia,  1900. 

10.      Tratado  complete  del  Naranjo;  por  Prof.  B.  Giner  Alino;  Valencia, 
1901. 

JOSEPH  HILLMAN. 

London,  January,  1907. 


274395 


The  Cultivation  of  CitFus 

A  Short  Treatise  with  Special  Reference 
to  Fertilization. 


The  cultivation  of  citrus  fruits  forms  an  important 
Industry  as  well  in  extensive  districts  of  California  as  in 
Florida  and  sections  of  Louisiana  and  Mississippi;  it  has 
established  itself  in  Hawaii  and  it  has  passed  the  experi- 
mental stage  in  Porto  Rico  and  elsewhere  in  the  West  Indies. 

Although  successful  fruit-growing  is  a  highly  remuner- 
ative pursuit,  much  is  required  to  insure  success.  Good  judg- 
ment, with  expert  knowledge,  needs  to  be  exercised  in  the 
selection  of  soil  and  location,  in  the  choice  of  stock  and  bud, 
in  the  cultivation  and  fertilization  of  the  grove,  in  the  treat- 
ment of  diseases  and  in  the  picking,  packing  and  marketing 
of  the  crop. 

The  variety  of  conditions  prevailing  in  the  wide  regions 
over  which  citrus  fruits  may  be  cultivated  with  profit,  extend- 
ing, as  these  do,  from  about  35°  North  Latitude  on  the 
Pacific  Coast  of  the  United  States  to  about  18°  North  Lati- 
tude, or  well  within  the  Tropics,  renders  it  impracticable 
to  lay  down  rules  of  unvarying  application  for  their  culture 
in  all  districts.  All  that  can  be  undertaken  within  the  limits 
of  this  brief  treatise  is  to  indicate  certain  principles  applicable 
to  the  rational  practice  of  horticulture,  wherever  exercised, 
and  to  make  suggestions  regarding  soils,  climatic  conditions, 
selection  of  varieties,  suitable  fertilization,  methods  of  cul- 
tivation, and  the  rest,  that  may  afford  general  guidance. 

Again,  although  the  orange  may  be  taken  as  a  type 
representative  of  the  other  members  of  the  group  of  citrus 
fruits  in  many  respects,  and  notably  in  regard  to  their  re- 
quirements in  the  matter  of  soils  and  cultural  methods, 
special  treatment  in  certain  particulars  is  required  for  the 
profitable  cultivation  of  lemons,  limes  and  pomelos,  and  these 
will,  accordingly,  be  separately  touched  upon. 

Climatic  Conditions. 

Climatic  conditions  must  be  a  primary  consideration 
in  the  selection  of  a  locality  for  fruit-growing  on  a  commer- 
cial scale. 


It  may  be  stated  generally  that  the  winter  temperature 

Cultivation  of  should   not    fjjj    be,QW    ^    tQ         .    R    Q£    continued    cold 

Citrus  Fruits     1^1          i  /-        i  n  -•->•/- 

although  a  temperature  of  as  low  as  24    F.,  if  not  continued 

6  for  more  than  a  few  hours  at  a  time,  will  be  withstood  by 

orange  trees  when  in  a  dormant  condition. 

In  Florida,  the  danger  point  of  cold  is  regarded  as 
being  28°  F.  for  fruit  and  24°  F.  for  foliage. 

The  mean  temperature  of  seasons  is  of  more  importance 
than  the  mean  temperature  of  the  year.  In  other  words* 
the  relative  distribution  of  heat  over  the  seasons,  rather 
than  the  absolute  amount  received  during  the  year,  is  that 
which  determines  the  fitness  or  unfitness  of  the  climate  of 
a  district  for  the  growing  of  citrus  fruits. 

The  rainfall  should  not  be  excessive ;  certainly  not  more 
than  50  to  70  inches  annually.  Heavy  rainfall  is  especially 
a  disadvantage  if  it  occurs  at  the  time  when  the  trees  should 
be  dormant  preparatively  to  blooming,  or  at  the  season  when 
the  fruit  has  to  be  marketed.  Thus,  citrus  fruit  orchards 
should  never  be  planted  where  autumn  and  winter  rains  are 
the  rule,  as  on  the  rainy  side  of  islands  in  the  West  Indies. 
The  orange  tree  is  exacting  of  a  regulated  water  supply ;  with- 
out this  it  will  yield  poor  fruit. 

The  site  should  be  sufficiently  elevated  above  the  low 
ground  of  the  region  to  secure  free  drainage  and  immunity 
from  frosts;  whilst,  where  irrigation  must  be  practised,  the 
plantation  should  be  so  located  that  water  is  easy  of  access 
and  distribution. 

Soils. 

Although  citrus  trees  will  adapt  themselves  to  almost 
any  kind  of  soil,  the  orange  tree  in  particular  thrives  best 
in  a  deep,  moderately  rich  and  permeable  soil;  one  fairly 
retentive  of  moisture  and  yet  not  heavy  enough  to  prevent 
escape  of  excessive  rainfall.  It  should  be  light  enough  to 
work,  readily  and  yet  not  so  loose  as  to  dry  out  rapidly. 

Sub-strata  of  hard-pan  or  of  sand  and  gravel  must  be 
carefully  avoided,  and  examination  for  such  defects  should 
be  made  before  laying  out  a  plantation. 

A  siliceous  loam  with  some  lime  and  clay,  deep  and 
with  capacity  for  necessary  irrigation,  is  that  which  the 
orange  tree  prefers.  Its  lightness  and  depth  allow  the  root 
system  of  the  tree  to  extend  and  develop  easily,  thus  inducing 


rapid  growth;  the  cultivation  of  such  soil  requires  but  little  The 
labour  and  can  be  carried  to  a  sufficient  depth,  so  that  deep  Cultivation  of 
rooting  is  promoted;  whilst  the  injurious  extremes  of  drought     ltrus 
and  water-logging  are  avoided. 

At  the  same  time,  it  is  undoubtedly  true  that  whilst 
rich  alluvial  soils  produce  citrus  trees  of  luxuriant  growth, 
which  often  bear  enormous  crops,  the  finest  and  choicest 
fruits  are  largely  produced  upon  soils  of  a  much  lower  grade 
of  fertility.  As  Rolfs  has  remarked: 

* { In  fertile  soils  the  plant  food  is  seldom  properly  balanced  and 
present  in  the  condition  best  suited  for  producing  the  finest  fruits,  nor  is  it 
possible  to  influence  the  contents  or  quality  of  the  fruit  by  applying  different 
forms  of  chemical  fertilizers.  If,  therefore,  a  field  is  normally  sufficiently 
fertile  to  produce  a  citrus  crop  for  an  indefinite  number  of  years,  it  is 
usually  impossible  to  influence  the  quality  of  fruit  markedly  by  means  of 
fertilizers.  Upon  soils  which  are  nearly  sterile,  however,  trees  may  be 
started  and  fed  with  just  such  chemicals  as  will  produce  the  finest  quality  of 
fruit.  It  therefore  happens  that  soils  which  formerly  were  considered 
absolutely  worthless  for  agricultural  purposes  are  now  made  to  produce  large 
crops  of  most  excellent  fruit."* 

We  are  not  prepared  to  endorse  to  their  full  logical 
sequence  the  views  thus  expressed;  but,  with  certain  limita- 
tions, they  serve  to  inculcate  forcibly  the  value  attaching  to 
the  skilled  employment  of  chemical  fertilizers  in  the  pro- 
duction of  high-class  fruits. 

Selection  of  Varieties. 

No  variety  of  citrus  is  suitable  for  cultivation  in  all  re- 
gions of  what  may  be  termed  the  citrus  belt.  Thus,  the  navel 
orange,  which  is  pre-eminently  adapted  for  California,  is 
of  but  little  value  in  Florida.  On  the  other  hand,  certain 
varieties  of  pomelo  are  of  exquisite  flavour  when  fruited  in 
Florida,  but  are  not  of  the  same  excellence  when  grown  in 
California.  It  is  essential,  therefore,  to  test  in  the  district 
in  which  it  is  to  be  grown  the  particular  variety  which  it  is 
desired  to  introduce. 

Indeed,  so  much  will  depend  upon  local  conditions  and 
market  requirements,  that  we  consider  it  to  be  inadvisable 
to  make  specific  recommendations  under  this  head.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that  the  choicest  varieties,  capable  at  the  same  time 
of  heavy  yields,  and  those  taking  a  permanently  prominent 

*  Farmers'  Bulletin  No.  238,  U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture. 


The  place  in  the  market  are,  prima  facie,  those  which  should 
Cultivation  of  be  selected. 
Citrus  Fruits 

Preparation  of  the  Land. 

o 

Clearing  should  be  thorough;  everything  that  would 
interfere  with  good  cultivation  should  be  removed;  roots 
should  be  grubbed;  the  ground  should  be  levelled,  and,  where 
needed,  provision  should  be  made  for  drainage  and  irriga- 
tion. 

The  soil  should  be  broken  up  and  reduced  to  a  fine  tilth, 
which  will  permit  of  careful  planting  and  staking. 

In  most  cases  it  is  advisable  to  grow  a  field  crop  the 
first  year;  better  cultivation  and  aeration  of  the  soil  is  thereby 
secured  and  any  sprouting  from  old  roots  is  killed  out. 

The  orange  in  particular  should  have  full  possession  of 
the  soil  immediately  surrounding  it,  undisputed  by  grass, 
weeds  or  other  trees.  Its  success  will  be  indifferent  under  the 
uhole-in-the-grass"  method  of  cultivation. 

Propagation  and  Choice  of  Stocks  for  Budding. 

The  orange  cannot  be  trusted  to  come  true  from  seed, 
and  for  fruiting  purposes  seedlings  may  be  regarded  as 
unprofitable  to  plant.  Growth  from  the  seed  is  now,  how- 
ever, the  method  almost  exclusively  followed  for  the  pro- 
duction of  stocks  for  budding,  to  the  exclusion  of  growth 
from  cuttings  or  from  layers,  and  it  is  by  far  the  best. 

In  growing  orange  seedlings,  good  plump  seed  should 
be  selected  and  it  should  never  be  allowed  to  dry.  Unless 
it  is  to  be  sown  at  once,  it  should  be  mixed  with  moist  sand 
for  storing. 

The  best  time  for  sowing  is  after  the  soil  has  become 
warmed  in  the  spring. 

The  choice  of  seedling  stocks  for  budding  is  a  matter 
of  primary  importance.  A  deep  root  system  and  broadly 
extending  laterals,  not  too  near  the  surface,  are  essentials 
to  the  ideal  stock. 

It  has  been  said  by  so  eminent  an  authority  as  Wickson 
(California  Fruits,  Chapter  XXX,  p-356)  that  "the  orange 
root  is  the  best  foundation  for  an  orange  tree,  and  the  seed 
of  the  seedling  sweet  orange  is  the  main  reliance''.  The 
sweet-orange,  however,  would  appear  to  be  a  surface-growing 
stock  which  has  few  deeply  penetrating  roots.  In  the  Uni- 


ycrsity  of   California   Experiment  Station  trials,  the  sour-  The 

orange  stock  has  been  found  to  be  decidedly  hardier,  and  Cultivation  of 

,  ,  i          A  Citrus  Fruits 

in  every  way  better  than  the  sweet-orange  stock.     Among 

its  other  good  qualities,  it  is  resistant  to  alkali.  9 

But  the  pomelo  is  deservedly  becoming  the  favourite 
stock  in  southern  California.  Its  laterals  are  found  at  a 
greater  depth  than  the  laterals  of  the  sweet  orange;  it  pro- 
duces more  fibrous  roots  than  does  either  of  the  other  stocks, 
and  the  tree  is  consequently  a  ravenous  feeder.  It  has  suc- 
ceeded better  at  the  Experiment  Station  of  the  University 
of  California  than  has  the  sour  stock,  which  seems  to  lack 
uniformity  of  root  growth,  sometimes  having  but  few  lat- 
erals, in  which  case  the  crops  are  small. 

Pomelo  seedlings  are  said  also  to  have  made  the  best 
growth  in  the  nursery. 

Seedlings  are  grown  either  in  boxes  or  in  the  open 
ground;  in  either  case  a  rich  sandy  loam,  which  will  not 
bake,  should  be  secured. 

The  seedlings  appear  in  about  six  weeks,  and  with  good 
care  in  weeding  and  in  keeping  sufficiently— but  not  ex- 
cessively— moist,  they  will  make  a  growth  of  about  a  foot 
in  the  first  season. 

Planting  out  in  the  nursery  should  be  done  so  soon  as 
the  ground  is  thoroughly  warmed  in  the  spring,  when  the 
seedlings  will  be  about  a  year  old. 

The  distance  between  the  rows  in  the  nursery  should 
be  at  least  four  feet,  to  allow  of  horse  cultivation.  A  dis- 
tance of  1 8  inches  between  the  plants  in  the  rows  will  per- 
mit of  the  roots  being  sacked,  or  otherwise  protected,  when 
the  plants  are  to  be  removed  to  the  plantation. 

In  taking  the  seedlings  from  the  seed  bed,  a  few  should 
be  lifted  at  a  time,  and  it  is  essential  that  their  roots  be  kept 
shaded  and  moist  until  the  ground  closes  on  them  in  the 
nursery  row. 

It  is  important  to  have  an  even  stand  in  the  nursery, 
and  weak  plants  should  be  rejected.  The  seedling  trees 
are  very  susceptible  of  injury  by  frost,  and  it  is  wise  to  give 
them  some  sort  of  protection  during  the  winter. 

The  young  plants  are  usually  budded  after  being  one 
or  two  years  in  the  nursery,  or  at  two  to  three  years  from  the 
sowing  of  the  seed.  At  a  convenient  time  in  the  winter, 
the  lower  shoots  and  thorns  are  removed,  so  as  to  leave  a 


The  clear  stem  of  about  six  inches  for  the  convenience  of  the 
Cultivation  of   fa^fa^ 

The  best  season  at  which  to  bud  is  about  the  time  when 
10  the  seedling  is  starting  into  vigorous  growth  in  the  spring. 

In  general  it  may  be  said,  however,  that  budding  on  good 
citrus  stock  may  be  done  at  any  time  of  the  year  when  the 
bark  of  the  stock  separates  easily  from  the  wood.  This 
always  indicates  a  strong  flow  of  sap.  The  buds  must  be 
taken  from  a  vigorous,  healthy  tree  of  the  variety  desired. 
Good  well-matured  buds  only  should  be  used;  those  from 
both  the  base  and  the  tip  of  shoots  are  frequently  defective. 

Spring  buds  start  into  growth  almost  immediately,  and 
have  the  benefit  of  the  whole  summer  season  for  developing 
and  maturing  wood. 

After  the  bud  has  made  a  good  start,  the  top  of  the 
stock  should  be  removed  at  a  short  distance  above  it,  and 
suckers  on  the  old  stock  should  be  continually  looked  for  and 
removed.  The  tender  shoot  of  the  bud  is  protected  by 
tying  to  the  stub,  and  when  the  growth  of  the  bud  has  be- 
come sufficiently  strong  to  allow  of  its  supporting  itself, 
the  old  stock  is  smoothly  sawn  away  and  the  wound  covered 
with  grafting  wax,  or  paint. 

Probably,  however,  a  better  practice  is  to  supply  sup- 
porting stakes  at  once,  and  to  cut  the  stocks  close  in  lopping, 
as,  when  this  is  done,  the  buds  are  said  to  make  more  rapid 
growth. 

Budded  trees  are  given  one  or  two  years'  growth  in  the 
nursery  and  one  or  two  years'  growth  on  the  bud,  which, 
added  to  the  year  in  the  seed  bed,  makes  them  three  to  four 
years  of  age  from  the  sowing  of  the  seed  before  they  are 
ready  for  planting  out  in  the  orchard. 

To  cut  a  bud  properly  is  not  altogether  a  simple  opera- 
tion; indeed  the  whole  process  of  budding  is  one  which  re- 
quires skill  and  practical  experience,  .and  it  would  be  scarcely 
possible  to  give  here  intelligible  and  adequate  directions  for 
performing  it  with  assurance  of  success. 

Setting  Out. 

The  number  of  trees  to  be  set  out  to  the  acre  will  de- 
pend on  the  variety  selected  and  the  character  of  the  land. 
Large-growing  citrus  trees  such  as  pomelos  and  the  Bahia 
and  Tardiff  sweet  oranges,  should  not  be  set  closer  than  100 


to  the  acre,  and  on  soils  of  a  high  grade  of  fertility  75  are  The 

enough.     Smaller  growing  varieties,  such  as  the  mandarin  ^ultivatlon  °* 
6      r  ill-  i       u  i  Citrus  Fruits 

group  of  oranges  and  the  limes,  should  not  be  set  closer 

than  200  trees  to  the  acre.  " 

In  a  sandy  loam,  rich  in  organic  matter,  the  trees 
grow  much  more  vigorously,  and  should  be  set  farther 
apart.  In  heavy  clay  soils,  their  growth  is  less  luxuriant, 
and  they  may  be  set  nearer  together. 

On  the  whole,  the  best  arrangement  of  the  trees  is  that 
of  planting  in  hexagons,  as  shown  in  the  adjoining  figure. 

This  method  allows  of  fifteen 
per  cent,  more  trees  than  setting  in 
squares,  and  the  ground  can  be 
worked  in  three  different  directions, 
It  also  gives  better  facilities  for  irri- 
gation. 

The  orange,  in  common  with 
other  evergreen  trees,  is  extremely 
sensitive  to  exposure  of  its  roots, 
and  for  this  reason  special  precau- 
tions have  to  be  taken  in  handling 
the  young  trees  in  the  process  of 
Trees  planted  in  Hexagons.  transplantation.  The  manner  of 
handling  will  depend  in  a  great  measure  upon  the  character 
of  the  nursery  soil.  Sacking  and  balling  is,  no  doubt,  the 
method  to  be  preferred,  but  it  requires  a  certain  degree  of 
adhesiveness  in  the  soil.  Lifting  from  the  nursery  when  the 
soil  is  too  dry,  exposure  of  roots,  or  careless  planting,  will 
condemn  the  tree  to  a  slow  and  sickly  growth,  and  often 
kill  it  outright. 

The  practice  of  reducing  the  top  to  compensate  for  the 
loss  of  roots  in  removal,  is  essential,  but  care  must  be  taken 
not  to  carry  it  too  far,  lest  subsequent  growth  be  thereby 
checked. 

Fertilization. 

Judicious  and  liberal  fertilization  is  essential  to  the 
intensive  culture  of  citrus  fruits.  Cultivation,  pruning  and 
irrigation,  necessary  as  they  are  to  the  success  of  the  planta- 
tion, fail  in  their  object — once  the  natural  fertility  of  the 
land  is  exhausted  or  sensibly  reduced — if  the  plant  food 
absorbed  from  the  soil  be  not  replaced. 


The  The  removal   from  the  soil  of  the  constituents  of  a 

Cultivation  of  succession  of  crops  brings  about  sooner  or  later,  sterility  or 
-  exhaustion  of  the  soil  from  default  of  nitrogen,  phosphoric 
IZ  acid  and  potash;  and  this  sterility  or  exhaustion  cannot  be 

prevented  or  remedied  by  any  system  of  cultivation.  Field 
operations  carried  out  with  thoroughness  do,  indeed,  re- 
store to  the  surface  soil  the  elements  of  fertility  which 
the  rains  wash  down  into  the  sub-soil,  they  hasten  their  solu- 
bility and  prepare  them  for  assimilation  by  the  plant,  but 
they  replace  nothing.  It  is  indispensible  therefore  to  make 
good  the  deficit,  and,  by  means  other  than  cultivation,  to 
restore  to  the  soil  what  the  crops  have  removed  from  it.  On 
this  fact  is  based  the  use  of  manures,  and  in  manuring  skil- 
fully and  adequately  lies  the  secret  of  successful  fruit  grow- 
ing. 

Barn-yard  manure  used  in  moderate  quantities  will  re- 
store to  the  soil,  to  some  extent,  the  elements  removed  from 
it  by  continuous  cropping,  but  in  the  case  of  citrus  fruits  it 
will  be  inadequate  to  increase  production;  employed  in 
greater  quantity  and  to  an  excessive  extent,  its  effects  are 
rather  injurious  than  favourable,  since  it  gives  rise  to  all 
the  evils  attendant  upon  the  application  of  organic  nitrogen 
in  too  large  proportion. 

Moreover,  although  barn-yard  manure  is,  in  a  general 
sense,  termed  a  complete  manure,  it  does  not,  when  em- 
ployed alone,  satisfy  the  requirements  of  citrus  trees,  inas- 
much as  the  quantity  of  some  of  its  constituents  needs  to  be 
supplemented  if  heavy  yields  and  healthy  vegetation  are  to 
be  maintained. 

Fortunately,  the  rational  application  of  manures  is  daily 
becoming  better  understood,  and  the  grower  is  now  in  a 
position,  by  the  aid  of  chemical  fertilizers,  to  raise  the  yield 
of  his  plantation  to  a  maximum^and,  at  the  same  time,  to 
secure  for  his  trees  that  vigour  of  growth  which  enables 
them  to  resist  unfavourable  climatic  conditions  and  parasi- 
tic attacks. 

Liberal  and  judicious  fertilization  is  essential  to  profit- 
able results  in  the  culture  of  citrus  fruits;  and  the  grower 
should  be  the  less  inclined  to  stint  outlay  in  the  purchase 
of  fertilizers,  because  he  may  be  certain  of  obtaining  highly 
remunerative  returns  in  the  yield  and  quality  of  the  crop. 
The  orange  tree,  in  particular,  is  one  that  responds  gener- 


ously  to  generous  treatment  by  producing  fruit  of  the  highest  The 

quality  and  in  enormous  quantity.  Cultivation  o 

4,  „       .     .  .  i       •    .  Citrus  Fruits 

I  o  manure  rationally,  it  is  necessary  to  take  into  ac-  - 

count  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  composition  of  the  plant^  Z3 
its  food  requirements,  the  quantity  and  constituents  of  the 
crop  and  the  conditions  of  vegetation.  Acquainted  with 
these,  we  are  able  to  determine,  with  an  approximation  to 
scientific  accuracy,  what  are  the  elements  that  have  to  be 
supplied  and  in  what  proportion. 

The  chemical  composition  of  the  orange  tree  —  as  well 
as  that  of  citrus  fruits  generally  —  is  complex,  and  varies 
somewhat  widely,  but  the  following,  which  represents  the 
mean  of  a  large  number  of  analyses,  will  serve  as  a  guide 
in  the  employment  of  manures  : 

Analysis  of  Orange  Trees. 

In  100  parts. 


Nitrogen.  Potash.  Lime. 

Fruit    ..........    0.32  °-38  0-32  0.43 

Leaves  .........  .    0.70  o.io  0.32  0.71 

Trunk  and  branches  0.70  °«43  0.58  0.80 

These  data  clearly  indicate  that  no  one  element  dis- 
tinctly dominates  the  others;  for  although  lime  is  present 
in  quantity,  that  base  exists  in  abundance  in  most  soils  and 
may  be  disregarded  in  the  preparation  of  formulae  of  ma- 
nures, sufficient  of  it  being  applied  in  combination  with 
phosphoric  and  sulphuric  acids. 

In  the  case  of  trees,  like  those  of  the  citrus  group, 
whose  foliage  is  perennial,  and  which  are  of  comparatively 
slow  growth  and  subjected  to  only  limited  pruning,  the 
elements  of  fertility  consumed  in  the  formation  of  leaf  and 
wood  are  relatively  small  in  quantity,  and  the  greater  part 
of  the  plant-food  assimilated  is  expended  upon  the  fruit. 
Thus,  in  determining  the  nature  and  quantity  of  the  manures 
to  be  applied,  the  production  of  fruit  is  the  principal  factor 
to  be  taken  into  account  m  arriving  at  the  volume  of  plant- 
foods  abstracted  from  the  soil  and  consequently  having  to 
be  replaced. 

Let  us  suppose  that  an  acre  of  orange  plantation  (about 
100  trees)  produces  twelve  tons  of  fruit.  According  to  the 
analysis  given  above,  this  crop  will  contain: 


The  Nitrogen 85  pounds 

Cultivation  of  Phosphoric  acid 102      " 

Citrus  Fruits  Potash 85      " 

14  It  will  be  necessary,  then,  to  restore  these  elements  to 

the  soil,  in  one  form  or  another,  if  the  trees  are  not  to  suffer 
from  want  of  nourishment  and  to  cease  to  produce  maximum 
crops  of  good  quality. 

On  the  basis  of  the  foregoing  figures,  the  typical  for- 
mula of  chemical  manures,  per  acre  of  orange  trees,  will  be : 

Nitrate  of  Soda 560  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime  (i  6%  soluble  phosphoric  acid)    6l2       " 
Sulphate  of  potash I  70      " 

Obviously,  however,  this  general  formula  must  not  be 
adopted  without  reference  to  specific  conditions;  it  must  be 
modified  to  meet  the  requirements  of  each  particular  case, 
according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil  and  the  state  of  vegetation 
in  the  plantation. 

It  may  be  well  to  mention  here  that  in  the  opinion  of 
some  of  the  most  experienced  and  successful  growers  of 
oranges  in  Spain,  all  formulae  of  manures  for  the  orange 
tree  should  contain  sulphate  of  lime  and  sulphate  of  iron, 
the  quantity  varying  according  to  the  composition  of  the  soil. 
If  the  land  is  poor  in  lime,  only  gypsum  (sulphate  of  lime) 
is  employed;  if  lime  is  moderately  abundant,  both  sulphates 
are  used,  and  if  the  soil  is  distinctly  calcareous,  only  the 
sulphate  of  iron. 

The  formulae  which  are  indicated  later  on  are  based 
upon  that  given  above,  modified  in  accordance  with  the  par- 
ticular requirements  of  the  plantation. 

In  the  first  place,  the  composition  of  the  soil  has  to  be 
taken  into  account.  To  ascertain  this  requires  a  delicate 
analysis,  which  only  a  chemist  can  make;  but  the  certainty 
which  such  an  analysis  affords  in  the  application  of  manures 
renders  it  of  the  first  importance  to  the  horticulturist.  The 
cost  of  it  will  be  repaid  in  a  single  season  by  economies 
following  upon  a  close  determination  of  the  nature  and  quan- 
tities of  the  fertilizers  to  be  employed. 

In  default  of  an  analysis,  however,  a  knowledge  of  the 
physical  qualities  of  soils  is  of  much  utility.  A  clay  soil 
may  be  assumed  to  be  rich  in  potash  and  poor  in  phosphoric 
acid;  a  calcareous  or  limey  soil  is,  on  the  other  hand,  gener- 


ally  rich  in  phosphoric  acid  and  poor  in  potash;  sandy  soils  The 

are  almost  always  poor  in  plant-foods,  and  soils  laden  with  Cultlvatlon  of 

•  u   •      u  «.   •        u      A  '4.  Citrus  Fruits 

organic  matter — rich  in  humus — contain  abundant  nitrogen,  . 

although  it  is  not  always  in  a  form  in  which  it  is  assimilable  is 

by  plants. 

The  typical  formula  will  have,  therefore,  to  be  modified, 
more  or  less,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil;  the  elements 
which  are  deficient  or  abound  in  the  latter  being  increased 
or  diminished  correspondingly.  As  a  general  rule,  all  soils 
are  deficient  in  phosphates,  and  therefore  it  will  almost  al- 
ways be  safe,  if  not  necessary,  to  increase  the  quantity  of  the 
phosphatic  fertilizer  indicated  in  the  general  formula. 

In  the  case  of  trees  of  the  citrus  family,  an  excess  of 
nitrogen  induces  an  exuberant  production  of  wood  and  leaf, 
at  the  same  time  that  the  fruit  is  rendered  thick  in  rind  and 
puffy,  deficient  in  sweetness,  wanting  in  aroma  and  with  a 
marked  tendency  to  rot.  Moreover,  a  superabundance  of 
nitrogen  in  the  food  of  the  plant  delays  maturity;  and  this 
circumstance  has  to  be  taken  into  account  according  as  early 
or  late  maturity  of  the  crop  is  desired. 

Organic  nitrogen,  as  found  in  cotton-seed  meal,  dried 
blood,  guano,  barn-yard  manure,  etc.,  is  especially  apt  to 
bring  about  a  soft,  rapid  growth,  and  in  certain  regions, 
especially  in  Florida,  its  continued  use  is  found  almost  cer- 
tainly to  give  rise  to  "die-back." 

If  phosphoric  acid  is  largely  in  excess  in  the  fertilizer, 
the  fruit  will  generally  be  abundant  but  small,  of  fine  flavour, 
and  having  the  seeds  numerous,  large  and  of  great  germin- 
ating power. 

When  potash  is  superabundant  relatively  to  the  other 
available  constituents  of  plant  food,  the  tree  acquires  but 
little  development;  the  fruit,  however,  is  juicy,  very  sweet, 
of  rich  flavour  and  delicate  aroma;  the  rind  is  fine  and  the 
seeds  small  and  few  in  number. 

From  what  has  been  said  it  will  be  sufficiently  obvious 
by  itself  alone  the  part  of  a  complete  fertilizer;  each  is  the 
complement  of  the  others,  each  supplements  the  action  of  the 
others,  and  conjointly  and  supplied  in  suitable  proportions, 
they  bring  about  the  desired  results. 

The  general  formula  which  has  been  indicated  pre- 
supposes that  the  trees  to  which  the  fertilizer  is  to  be  applied 
are  large,  in  full  bearing,  and  yielding  a  crop  of  about 


The  twelve  tons  of  oranges  per  acre.    If  the  plantation  be  capable 

Cultivation  of  o£  a  neavier  yield,  on  account  of  its  maturity  or  from  the 

3  variety  being  a  prolific  one,  or  owing  to  the  nature  of  the 

16  soil,  the  advantages  of  the  site,  facilities  for  irrigation,  the 

climate,   etc.,   the  quantities  of  the  several   fertilizers  may 

be  judiciously  increased  until  the  limit  of  production  is  found 

to  have  been  reached. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  the  plantation  is  naturally  one 
capable  of  producing  only  moderate  yields,  the  trees  of  me- 
dium size  and  facilities  for  irrigation  absent,  the  same  com- 
bination of  fertilizers  must  be  employed,  but  the  applica- 
tions must  be  less  in  quantity;  and  in  determining  that 
quantity  the  skill  and  judgment  of  the  grower  will  come  in. 

Superphosphate  of  lime,  containing  not  less  than  14  to 
1 6  per  cent,  of  phosphoric  acid,  is  to  be  preferred  as  the 
phosphatic  element  in  the  fertilizer  on  account  of  its  ready 
solubility  and  relative  cheapness.  In  soils  distinctly  deficient 
in  lime  Thomas  Phosphate  (basic  slag)  may  in  many  cases 
be  substituted  with  advantage.  If  basic  slag  be  used,  a 
somewhat  larger  quantity  of  it  should  be  applied  than  is 
prescribed  in  the  case  of  the  employment  of  superphosphate 
of  lime. 

Of  potash  salts,  it  is  advisable  to  use  only  the  sulphate; 
it  being  the  opinion  of  many  experienced  growers  that  the 
sulphate  communicates  to  the  fruit  the  greater  delicacy  and 
aroma. 

Exact  experiments  carried  out  during  the  past  few  years 
have  shown  that  Nitrate  of  Soda  is  the  best  source  of  nitrog- 
enous food  for  the  orange  tree.  And  here  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind  that  Nitrogen,  from  whatever  source  derived,  must 
be  in  the  form  of  a  nitrate  to  be  assimilable  by  the  vegetable 
organism.  Thus,  if  manures  containing  organic  nitrogen,  or 
sulphate  of  ammonia — which  yields  ammoniacal  nitrogen- 
be  employed,  the  nitrogen  which  they  contain  has  to  undergo 
in  the  soil  a  natural  process  known  as  Nitrification,  in  con- 
nection with  the  action  of  minute  organisms  which  convert 
the  ammoniacal  or  organic  nitrogen  of  the  manures  into 
nitric  acid  and  nitrates.  For  this  conversion  more  or  less 
time  is  required,  and,  whilst  the  processes  last,  losses  occur 
by  the  giving  off  of  free  nitrogen,  which  the  plants  are  unable 
to  utilize  and  which  is  lost  in  the  atmosphere. 


To  illustrate  these  facts,  it  may  be  mentioned  that  horn 
shavings  and  Nitrate  of  Soda  contain,  in  equal  weights,  about  c^ltivation  o 
the  same  quantity  of  nitrogen,  and  nevertheless  their  value     ltrus 
as  fertilizers  is  very  different.     The  nitrogen  of  the  nitrate  li 

of  soda  is  in  a  form  in  which  it  is  immediately  assimilable 
by  plants,  whilst  that  contained,  in  organic  form,  in  the  horn 
shavings  nitrifies  slowly,  three  or  four  years  being  required 
for  the  completion  of  the  process.  The  like  is  the  case  with 
barn-yard  manure  and  all  other  animal  or  vegetable  manures, 
although  the  nitrification  of  the  organic  nitrogen  of  some 
of  them  is  completed  in  the  course  of  two  years  or  less. 

When  we  remember  that  15  to  16  per  cent,  of  the 
weight  of  nitrate  of  soda  of  ordinary  commercial  purity 
(95%)  is  represented  by  Nitrogen,  and  that  i  cwt.  of  it 
therefore  contains  as  much  nitrogen  as  ultimately  becomes 
available  from  the  decomposition  of  a  ton  and  a  half  of  rich 
barn-yard  manure,  the  activity  and  rapidity  of  action  of  this 
fertilizer,  and  at  the  same  time  the  control  which  the  culti- 
vator is  able  to  exercise  over  its  effects,  are  readily  to  be 
understood. 

Another  important  characteristic  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
is  the  freedom  with  which  it  permeates  the  soil.  The  roots 
have  not  to  wait  for  nitrogenous  food  until  they  can  grow 
down  to  it,  neither  have  they  to  seek  it  immediately  beneath 
the  surface,  to  the  encouragement  of  shallow  rooting;  and,  as 
a  consequence,  plantations  dressed  with  nitrate  of  soda  suffer 
less  from  drought  than  those  deriving  their  nitrogen  from 
other  sources. 

Although  the  intensive  cultivation  of  citrus  fruits  can 
only  be  carried  on  with  the  aid  of  chemical  fertilizers,  the 
application  of  organic  manures  to  the  plantation  should  not 
be  omitted,  if  only  as  a  means  of  maintaining  the  mechanical 
condition  of  the  soil.  Where  barn-yard  manure  is  at  dis- 
posal, it  should  be  spread  over  the  grove  lightly,  so  that 
each  tree  receives  only  a  small  amount.  Good  results  are  also 
to  be  obtained  by  ploughing  under,  every  second  or  third 
year,  a  leguminous  crop.  Among  the  plants  suitable  for 
green-manuring  tested  at  the  Experiment  Station  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  California,  a  variety  of  Horse  Bean,  Ficia  faba, 
has  been  found  to  be  one  of  the  most  suitable  for  use  in  citrus 
orchards.  All  the  horse  beans  make  rapid  winter  growth, 
and  growth  ceases  with  the  coming  of  hot  weather.  Thus, 


The  the  crop  can  be  ploughed  under  early  in  the  spring,  and  the 
Cultivation  of  ground  be  subsequently  thoroughly  pulverized  for  the  reten- 
Citrus  Fruits   f.  •  ,.         j     •        u.  u^       -T-U   -       i. 
tion  or  moisture  during  the  summer  drought.      I  heir  abun- 

18  dant  root  growth  is  an  advantage  in  favour  of  these  beans 

for  green  manuring.  Not  only  do  the  roots  assist  in  opening 
the  soil,  but  by  their  decay  they  add  materially  to  the  humus 
contents  of  the  land. 

Apart  from  the  benefit  of  its  mechanical  action  on  the 
soil,  organic  manure  thus  applied  yields  up  the  products  of 
its  decomposition  little  by  little,  thereby  steadily  maintaining 
the  food  supply  of  the  tree;  and  when  the  energies  of  the 
latter  have  to  be  brought  to  a  maximum  for  the  production 
of  a  heavy  crop,  the  application  of  the  readily  assimilable 
chemical  fertilizers  produces  its  effect  with  certainty  and  at 
the  required  vegetative  period. 

Young  Orange  Trees. 

The  first  necessity  for  these  is  rapid  development  of 
the  trunk  and  foliage;  the  following  is  a  suitable  dressing, 
per  acre  of  the  plantation : 

Nitrate  of  Soda 35°  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime 350      " 

Sulphate  of  potash 100      " 

The  addition  of  the  following  will  in  many  cases  prove 
advantageous : 

Sulphate  of  lime 150  pounds 

Sulphate  of  iron i  oo     " 

The  application  should  be  increased  to  the  full  dressing 
as  the  yield  of  fruit  becomes  more  abundant. 

Old  Orange^Trees. 

Old  orange  trees  contain  much  fixed  lime  in  the  trunk 
and  branches,  and  they  need  to  have  activity  imparted  to  the 
sap,  foliation  and  florescence.  The  following  application, 
per  acre,  will  be  a  suitable  one : 

Nitrate  of  Soda 600  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime 700     *' 

Sulphate  of  potash 150     " 

Sulphate  of  iron 200     " 


Adult  Orange  Trees  of  Sickly  Vegetation.         The 

Cultivation  of 

Orange  trees  the  produce  of  which  is  scanty  and  the  Citrus  Fruits 
vegetation  sickly  and  affected  by  chlorosis  are  distinctly  bene-  "        ~ 
fited  by  the  application  of  a  full  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda. 
The  following  are  the  constituents  of  a  suitable  fertilizer 
per  acre  of  the  grove: 

Nitrate  of  Soda 700  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime,  or  Basic  slag 350      " 

Sulphate  of  potash 200      " 

Sulphate  of  lime 300      «' 

Sulphate  of  iron I  50      " 

Both  with  this  class  and  with  old  trees,  once  they  have 
recovered  themselves  and  regained  normal  development,  the 
total  quantity  of  the  fertilizers  should  be  diminished  by  15 
or  20  per  cent. 

Trees  Producing  Much  Wood,  Foliage  and 
Flower,  but^Little  Fruit. 

Until  of  late  years  it  has  been  the  practice  to  dress  such 
trees  exclusively  with  phosphates  and  potash  salts,  it  being 
generally  believed  that  nitrogenous  manures  increased  the 
tendency  to  defective  fructification. 

Careful  observation  has  led  to  this  view  being  discarded. 

It  is  rare  to  find  an  orange  plantation  that  does  not  con- 
tain trees  of  this  character,  which,  whatever  dressing  and 
cultivation  they  may  receive,  continue  to  bear  scantily. 
Recourse  is  now  usually  had  to  re-grafting,  or  "working- 
over",  and  the  abundant  yields  frequently  obtained  by  this 
means  afford  proof  that  some  other  cause  than  food  defi- 
ciency had  induced  the  partial  barrenness. 

Mandarin  Oranges. 

This  variety  is  a  greedy  feeder  and  requires  an  ample 
supply  of  manures ;  but,  as  it  is  of  less  size  and  yields  smaller 
crops  than  the  ordinary  species,  it  requires  proportionately 
reduced  quantities  of  the  several  fertilizers.  When  in  full 
bearing,  mandarins  should  receive,  per  acre,  fertilizers  in 
accordance  with  the  following  formula: 

Nitrate  of  Soda 450  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime 500      '« 

Sulphate  of  potash 100     " 


The  Nurseries  of  Orange  Trees. 

Cultivation  of 

Citrus  Fruits  Previous  to  planting,  there  should  be  thoroughly  incor- 

~        "  porated  with  the  soil,  for  every  100  square  yards:  . 

Well-rotted  barn-yard  manure ....  1000  pounds 

Superphosphate  of  lime 50      " 

Sulphate  of  potash 20      " 

In  spring,  50  pounds  of  nitrate  of  soda  should  be  broad- 
casted over  the  same  area. 

In  the  second  year,  the  same  application  may  be  re- 
peated with  the  exception  of  the  barn-yard  manure. 

For  the  seed  plot,  a  heavy  dressing  of  barn-yard  manure, 
with  the  addition  of  a  moderate  application  of  superphos- 
phate of  lime,  will  suffice. 

In  spring,  the  plot  should  be  watered  frequently  with 
a  solution  of  one-half  ounce  of  nitrate  of  soda  in  the  gallon 
of  water. 


It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  increased  applications 
of  fertilizers  will  not  necessarily  produce  increased  yields, 
and  that,  once  the  limits  are  reached  of  what  the  plant  can 
assimilate — and  those  limits  are  approximately  represented 
by  the  quantities  indicated  in  the  formulae  given  above — 
any  surplus  that  may  be  employed  will  be  unproductive  of 
good  and  economical  results. 

Time  and  Manner  of  Application 
of  Fertilizers. 

If  any  barn-yard  manure  is  to  be  applied,  it  should  be 
turned  under  at  the  time  of  the  ploughing  which  is  usually 
given  shortly  after  the  crop  is  gathered. 

The  superphosphate  and  potash  salts  should  be  culti- 
vated in  during  the  dormant  season  of  the  trees,  or,  at  latest, 
sometime  before  active  vegetation  commences  in  the  spring, 

The  nitrate  of  soda  should  be  broad-casted  in  three 
successive  dressings,  as  follows:  A  third-part  at  the  outset 
of  vegetation  in  the  spring;  another  third-part  at  least  a 
fortnight  before  flowering  commences,  and  the  remaining 
third-part  sometime  after  the  fruit  is  well  set.  After  each 
dressing,  shallow  cultivation  and  irrigation  may  follow  with 
advantage. 


If  sulphate  of  lime  is  to  be  employed,  it  may  be  mixed  The 

Cultr 

Citrus  Fruits 


with  the  last  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda ;  and  the  sulphate  Cultivation  of 


of  iron,  finely  pulverized,  may  be  put  on  a  few  days  later. 

If  the  foregoing  directions  are  acted  on,  the  plantation 
will  have  been  adequately  manured  before  the  trees  come  into 
flower,  the  food  materials  will  be  fully  utilized,  and  flores- 
cence will  develop  uniformly  and  be  apt  for  fertilization. 

Manures  should  not  be  applied  during  the  flowering 
period,  lest  an  uneven  flow  of  sap  be  induced  and  fructifica- 
tion be  interefered  with. 

Earlier  or  later  maturity  of  the  crop  depends  upon  the 
period  at  which  the  fertilizers  are  applied,  since  the  earlier 
the  nutritive  principles  are  taken  up  and  assimilated,  the  more 
quickly  they  are  accumulated  in  the  fruit,  and  the  earlier 
will  its  development  be  completed. 

Accordingly,  if  early  ripening  is  desired,  the  applica- 
tion of  the  last  dressing  of  nitrate  of  soda  and  of  the  sulphate 
of  lime  and  sulphate  of  iron  should  be  advanced;  if,  on  the 
other  hand,  it  is  wished  to  retard  the  maturity  of  the  fruit, 
the  application  of  this  dressing  must  be  correspondingly 
delayed. 


The  fertilizers  should  be  evenly  distributed  over  the 
entire  area  beneath  the  branches  of  the  trees,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  circle  of  about  two  feet  from  the  trunk,  which 
should  be  protected  by  a  ridge  of  earth  from  contact  with 
the  manures  and  water.  This  manner  of  application  is  essen- 
tial, as  the  fertilizers  act  almost  exclusively  through  the  fine 
absorbent  rootlets. 

Irrigation. 

Citrus  trees  require  liberal  supplies  of  moisture.  The 
exact  quantity  of  water  necessary  cannot  be  stated,  since  it 
will  vary  with  the  character  of  the  soil,  the  distribution  of  the 
rainfall,  and  the  care  taken  in  its  conservation  in  the  soil. 

In  California  irrigation  is  general,  the  number  of  ap- 
plications varying  from  three  to  eight  yearly.  The  best 
practice  can  be  determined  only  by  the  grower  himself  after 
a  study  of  local  conditions. 

Irrigation  by  furrows  as  deep  and  narrow  as  practic- 
able has  been  strongly  recommended  by  Professor  Hilgard. 


The  This  method  consists  of  running  a  plough  to  a  depth  of  a 
Cultivation  of  £OQt    or  eyen  more    jn  faj.^   furrows,   between  the  rows. 
Citrus  Fruits   XTT,  ,  .  i-    j   •  i     r 
When  the  water  is  applied  in  such  furrows,  a  team  can  be 

driven  along  the  dry  strips  of  land  between  them,  and  with  a 
harrow  or  other  appliances  the  dry  soil  can  be  dragged  into 
the  wet  furrows  immediately  after  the  irrigation  water  is 
turned  off,  and  evaporation  be  thus  lessened.  The  surface 
soil  is  kept  comparatively  dry  by  this  method  and  there  is 
nothing  to  attract  root-growth  to  the  surface. 


Cultivation. 

The  main  objects  of  cultivation,  using  the  term  in  its 
widest  sense,  are  two:  Winter  cultivation  for  moisture  re- 
ception, and  summer  cultivation  for  moisture  retention.  The 
securing  of  these  objects  underlies  the  use  whether  of  the 
plough  or  of  the  various  kinds  of  harrows  and  cultivators. 

The  orange  requires  good,  clean  tillage.  If  weeds  and 
grass  are  allowed  to  occupy  the  ground  the  grove  will  suffer. 
The  plantation  should  be  ploughed  at  least  once  a  year, 
immediately  after  the  crop  is  gathered. 

Distinct  advantage  will  be  found  in  varying  the  depth 
of  tillage  from  year  to  year — say  eight  inches,  twelve  inches, 
ten  inches,  fourteen  inches,  and  then  eight  inches  again — ;  by 
this  method  what  is  known  as  "plow  sole",  or  "hard  pan",  a 
hard  and  impervious  layer  of  soil  which  forms  when  the  land 
is  continuously  cultivated  to  the  same  depth,  will  be  avoided. 

Tillage  should  follow  irrigation  as  soon  as  the  land  is 
dry  enough  to  admit  of  it. 

Pruning. 

Orange  and  other  citrus  trees,  except  the  lemon,  re- 
quire little  pruning  after  the  head  has  been  properly  formed. 
It  is  of  great  importance  that  the  tree  be  given  a  proper  shape 
by  judicious  pruning  and  pinching  during  the  first  years  of 
its  orchard  life.  The  aim  should  be  to  secure  a  low-headed, 
symmetrical  tree,  of  upright  growth,  covered  with  a  compact, 
but  not  crowded,  wall  of  foliage.  Dead  twigs  in  the  fruit- 
bearing  area  should  be  removed  and  all  dead  branches  in  the 
interior  of  the  tree  be  cut  out. 


Diseases  of  the  Orange. 

Cultivation  of 

The  most  serious  diseases  of  the  orange  tree  are  those  citrus  Fruits 
known  as  "gum  disease"  and  "die-back".  ~^ 

The  treatment  for  the  former  is  by  the  use  of  a  wash  of 
lime,  crude  carbolic  acid  and  salt.  The  sour  orange  stock 
is  said  to  be  practically  proof  against  gum  disease.  The 
pomelo  stock  is  also  resistant  to  it. 

The  application  of  organic  manures,  and  in  particular 
of  barn-yard  manure,  should  be  altogether  avoided  in  the 
case  of  trees  suffering  from  gum  sickness. 

With  regard  to  "die-back"  Dr.  E.  W.  Hilgard  writes: 
"In  almost  all  cases  of  "die-back,"  examination  has  shown  some 
fault  in  the  sub-soil,  which  puts  the  roots  under  stress.  Such  fault  may  be 
an  underlying  hardpan  or  impervious  clay,  pure  and  simple  ;  or  it  may  be 
excessive  wetness  or  dryness  of  the  sub-strata  surrounding  the  deeper  roots  ; 
or  the  rise  of  bottom  water  from  below,  as  in  cases  of  over-irrigation.  The 
true  "die-back"  is  not  properly  a  disease,  but  simply  the  manifestation  of 
the  distress  felt  by  the  root-system  underground.  The  first  thing  needful 
is  to  dig  down  and  examine  the  roots,  and  then  to  relieve  whatever  fault 
may  be  found,  if  possible  ;  which  may  not  always  be  the  case.  Sometimes 
an  appearance  similar  to  the  "die-back"  is  caused  by  the  roots  encountering 
a  marly  stratum,  which  is  apt  to  stunt  the  growth  of  the  tree,  causing  it  to 
put  out  a  multitude  of  small,  thin  branches,  and  sometimes  causing  the  tips 
to  die  off.  For  this  form  of  the  trouble  there  is  no  permanent  remedy  ;  the 
trees  should  never  have  been  planted  in  such  ground,  any  more  than  in  such 
as  has  shallow-lying  hardpan  or  clay." 

Pomelos. 

As  a  tree,  the  pomelo  most  nearly  resembles  the  orange, 
and  its  culture  is  virtually  the  same.  It  is  a  rapid  grower 
and  precocious  in  fruit-bearing.  Like  all  citrus  fruits,  the 
weight  and  quality  of  its  yields  are  to  a  very  great  extent 
a  reflection  of  the  care  and  food  given  to  the  tree.  It  may 
be  stated  as  an  indisputable  fact  that  the  grower  who  fertil- 
izes heavily  has  the  largest  crop,  the  best  fruit,  and  the 
largest  profit  from  his  plantation. 

To  attain  the  standard  of  excellence  the  fruit  must  have 
the  characteristic  pomelo  flavour — a  pleasant  commingling 
of  bitterness,  sweetness  and  acidity.  Among  the  large 
varieties,  Duncan,  Hall,  McKinley,  Pernambuco,  Standard 
and  Walters  are  prominent.  Triumph  is  a  good  variety, 
as  well  as  the  Marsh,  the  latter  being  notable  for  the  small 
number  of  its  seeds.  Of  the  smaller  varieties  Josselyn  is 
probably  the  most  characteristic. 


It  may  be  calculated  that  each  tree  in  full  bearing  will 
Citrus1  Fr"  °f  ^e^  ten  boxes  of  fruit,  of  the  average  weight  of  eighty 

pounds  per  box. 

2*  Each  tree  bearing  ten  boxes  or  800  pounds  of  fruit 

will  require  to  be  supplied,  to  make  fruit  alone,  with : 

Superphosphate  of  lime  (14%  soluble  phosphoric  acid)  2.86  pounds 
Sulphate  of  potash  (50%  available  potash)   ...   5.86      " 
Nitrate  of  Soda  (15%  nitrogen) 5.86      " 

This  is  on  the  assumption  that  the  constituents  required 
for  wood  growth,  etc.,  will  be  gathered  from  the  soil,  and 
no  allowance  is  made  for  losses  by  leaching,  etc.  In  practice, 
therefore,  the  quantity  of  each  fertilizer  will  require  to  be 
amplified. 

According  to  Bulletin  No.  58  of  the  Florida  Agricul- 
tural Experiment  Station,  the  experience  of  most  growers 
points  to  the  use  of  chemical  fertilizers  alone  for  all  citrus 
trees.  The  grove  fruits  more  heavily,  a  better  quality  of 
fruit  is  obtained  and  the  trees  are  maintained  in  a  healthier 
condition. 

Where  large  amounts  of  organic  fertilizers  are  used, 
die-back  will  almost  surely  affect  the  trees,  and  fruit  contain- 
ing a  large  amount  of  rag  and  of  poor  shipping  and  keeping 
quality  is  the  result. 

The  Lemon. 

The  lemon  requires  a  practically  frostless  situation. 
Under  favourable  conditions  the  tree  blooms  and  fruits  con- 
tinuously through  the  year.  It  delights  in  a  sandy  loam, 
but  it  will  thrive  on  other  soils.  In  southern  California  the 
lemon  is  profitably  grown  upon  deep  clay  loams,  and  even 
upon  strong  red  clay  soils. 

The  prevailing  stock  is  the  orange  seedling.  If  lemon 
seedlings  are  desired  they  may  be  grown  in  the  same  way, 
but  the  lemon  on  its  own  root  will  sometimes  fail  where, 
grown  on  the  orange  stock,  it  will  thrive.  The  budding 
and  planting  of  the  lemon  is  carried  out  in  the  same  way  as 
in  the  case  of  the  orange.  The  distance  apart  of  the  trees 
in  the  grove  varies  from  twenty  to  twenty  five  feet.  Greater 
care  and  attention  are  required  to  bring  the  lemon  into  good 
bearing  form  and  to  retain  it  in  satisfactory  shape  than  is 
the  case  with  the  orange. 


The  lemon  responds  very  freely  to  the  application  of  The 

fertilizers,  and  the  quantity  of  nitrogen  applied  may  with  Cultivation  of 

advantage  be  ten  or  twelve  per  cent,  greater  than  has  been  _ 
prescribed  for  the  orange.  25 

The  Lime,  the  Citron,  and  Minor  Citrus  Species. 

The  lime  is  much  less  hardy  than  the  lemon.  It  has 
been  killed  in  situations  where  the  orange  and  lemon  have 
not  been  injured. 

Limes  are  grown  from  seed,  the  variety  usually  coming 
true  from  seed.  The  trees  are  small  and  are  frequently 
grown  in  hedge  form. 

The  Citron,  on  the  other  hand,  is  quite  hardy.  As  yet 
there  is  no  considerable  production  in  California,  although 
experimental  planting  is  continued  with  some  activity. 

Various  minor  citrus  species,  including  the  Bergamot, 
are  grown  to  some  extent  in  southern  California,  but  chiefly 
for  curiosity  or  ornament. 

What  has  been  indicated  above  in  the  case  of  the  lemon 
will  apply  generally  to  the  fertilization  of  these  species. 


In  conclusion  we  would  say  that  we  do  not  pretend  to 
have  done  more  in  this  little  work  than  briefly  touch  upon 
salient  points  in  connection  with  specified  divisions  of  the 
subject.  Our  object  has  been  to  aid  the  grower  of  citrus 
fruits  by  pointing  to  methods  of  culture  which  have  been 
ascertained — chiefly  by  the  labours  of  the  Experiment  Sta- 
tions— to  be  the  best,  and  the  most  likely  to  be  pursued  with 
advantage  and  prospective  profit. 

We  expressly  disclaim  any  attempt  to  lay  down  hard- 
and-fast  rules  or  to  give  directions  which  should  supersede 
the  exercise  of  the  planter's  own  judgment,  or  replace  the 
indications  afforded  by  his  knowledge  of  the  particular  con- 
ditions, as  respects  soil  and  climate,  in  which  he  is  working. 


General  Directions  for 
the  Use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  Staple  Crops. 

The  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  alone  is  never  recommended, 
except  at  the  rate  of  not  more  than  one  hundred  pounds  to 
the  acre.  //  may  be  thus  safely  and  profitably  used  without 
other  fertilizers.  It  may  be  applied  at  this  rate  as  a  Top- 


The  Dressing  in  the  Spring  of  the  year,  as  soon  as  vegetation  be- 

Cultivation  of  gms  to  turn  green;  or)  'm  other  words,  as  soon  as  the  crops 

_  begin  new  growth.    At  this  rate  very  satisfactory  results  are 

26  usually  obtained  without  the  use  of  any  other  fertilizer,  and 

the  Soda  residual,  after  the  Nitrogenous  Ammoniate  Food 

of  this  chemical  is  used  up  by  the  plant,  has  a  perceptible 

effect  in  sweetening  sour  land. 

In  most  of  our  Grass  experiments  where  Nitrate  was 
used  alone  at  the  rate  of  but  One  Hundred  Pounds  per  acre, 
not  only  was  the  Aftermath,  or  Rowen,  much  improved,  but 
in  the  subsequent  seasons,  with  nothing  applied  to  the  plots, 
a  decidedly  marked  effect  was  noticed,  even  on  old  meadows. 
This  speaks  very  well  indeed  for  Nitrate  of  Soda  not  leaching 
out  of  the  soil.  The  readily  soluble  elements  are  the  readily 
available  elements.  The  natural  capillarity  of  soils  doubtless 
is,  in  most  instances,  a  powerful  factor  in  retaining  all  readily 
soluble  elements  of  fertility. 

If  this  were  not  so,  all  the  fertility  of  the  world  in  our 
humid  regions  would,  in  a  season  or  two,  run  into  the  ocean, 
and  be  permanently  lost. 

This  is  mentioned  on  account  of  certain  critics  having 
taken  the  trouble  to  object  to  the  use  of  Nitrate  on  the 
grounds  that  it  would  leach  away.  A  case  is  yet  to  be  seen 
where  the  after-effect  of  Nitrate  is  not  distinguishable,  and, 
in  certain  cases,  such  effects  have  been  most  marked. 

When  it  is  desired  to  use  a  larger  amount  than  one 
hundred  pounds  per  acre  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  Top- 
Dressing,  or  in  any  other  way,  there  should  be  present  some 
form  of  Phosphatic  and  Potassic  Plant  Food,  and  we  recom- 
mend not  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  either 
Acid  Phosphate  or  fine  ground  Raw  Rock,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  of  some  high-grade  Potash  Salt,  preferably 
the  Sulphate,  or  wood  ashes  in  twice  this  quantity.  A  much 
larger  amount  than  one  hundred  pounds  of  Nitrate  per  acre, 
when  used  alone  on  staple  crops,  is  generally  sure  to  give  an 
unprofitable  and  unbalanced  food  ration  to  the  plant.  For 
Market  Gardening  Crops,  Hops  or  Sugar-Beets,  however, 
somewhat  more  may  be  used  alone. 

When  the  above  amounts  of  Phosphatic  and  Potassic 
Fertilizers  are  used,  as  much  as  three  hundred  pounds  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda  may  be  applied  with  profit.  In  applying 


Nitrate  in  any  ration  it  is  desirable  to  mix  it  with  an  equal  The 
quantity  of  land  plaster  or  fine,  dry  loam  or  sand. 

If  you  have  any  reason  to  suspect  adulteration  of  the 
Nitrate  you  may  buy,  send  several  pounds  of  it  to  your 
Experiment  Station  for  analysis,  giving  date  of  purchase,  full 
name  and  address  of  agent,  and  of  the  Company  which  the 
seller  represents. 

Generally  on  the  Pacific  Coast  Nitrate  may  be  applied 
as  a  Top-Dressing  after  the  heavy  Spring  rains  are  over,  but 
before  crops  attain  much  of  a  start. 

Table  Showing  Prices  of  Nitrate  of  Soda 
on  the  Ammoniate  Basis. 


Figured  on  Basis  of  380  Pounds  Ammonia  in  One 
Ton  of  Nitrate  of  Soda. 


Equivalent  Cost  Equivalent 

Cost  per  Cost  Cost  per  Ammonia  Cost  of 

Cwt.  of  Ammonia  ton  of  per  Ib.  as  Nitrogen 

Nitrate.  per  Ton  unit.  Nitrate.  Nitrate.  per  Ib. 

$2.00  $2.10  $40.00  $0.105  $0.128 
2.05  2.16  41.00  0.108  0.131 
2.10  2.21  42.00  0.111  0.134 
2.15  2.26  43.00  0.113  0.137 
2.20  2.31  44.00  0.116  0.140 
2.25  2.37  45.00  0.118  0.144 
2.30  2.42  46.00  0.121  0.147 
235  2.47  47,00  0.124  0.150 
2.40  2.53  48.00  0.126  0.153 
2.45  2.58  49.00  0.129  0.156 
2.50  2.63  50.00  0.132  0.159 
2.55  2.68  51.00  0.134  0.162 
2.60  2.73  52.00  0.137  0.165 
2.65  2.78  53.00  0.140  0.168 
2.70  2.83  54.00  0.143  0.171 
2.75  2.88  55.00  0.146  0.174 
2.80  2.93  56.00  0.149  0.177 
2.85  2.98  57.00  0.152  0.180 
2.90  3.03  58.00  0.155  0.183 
2.95  3.08  59.00  0.158  0.186 
3.00  3.13  60.00  ™  0.160  0.189 
This  table  enables  one  to  compare  commercial  quota- 
tions on  ammoniates  with  accuracy.  The  figures  themselves 


The  are  not  quotations  in  any  sense  of  the  word,  and  all  the 
Cultivation  of  figures  of  the  table  refer  only  to  one  grade  of  Nitrate  of 

Soda,  namely:  that  containing  15.65  per  cent,  of  Nitrogen, 

28  equivalent  to  19.00  per  cent,  of  ammonia.     It  is  prepared 

merely  in  order  that  purchasers  may  compare  the  price  of 
Nitrate  of  Soda,  which  is  always  quoted  by  the  hundred 
pounds,  with  other  ammoniates,  which  are  quoted  by 
the  ton  unit.  In  the  first  column,  therefore,  are  given  the 
prices  per  hundred  weight  of  Nitrate  of  Soda ;  in  the  second 
column,  the  equivalent  price  of  the  ammonia  per  ton  unit; 
in  the  third  column,  the  corresponding  prices  per  ton;  in  the 
fourth  column,  the  cost  of  the  contained  ammonia  per 
pound,  a  figure  which  is  always  discussed,  but  almost  never 
explained  in  Station  Bulletins,  and  in  the  fifth  column 
are  given  the  corresponding  prices  of  the  cost  of  the  Nitro- 
gen per  pound,  a  figure  also  much  discussed,  but  not  always 
explained  in  Bulletins.  The  important  figures  to  remember 
are  the  price  per  hundred  weight,  the  price  per  ton  and  the 
equivalent  price  of  the  ammonia  in  the  Nitrate  per  ton  unit. 
The  table  is  prepared  to  cover  fluctuations  in  price  running 
from  two  dollars  per  hundred,  to  three  dollars  per  hundred; 
or  from  forty  dollars  to  sixty  dollars  per  ton. 

Increased  Yield  per  Acre  of  Crops  receiving  Nitrate  at  the 
rate  of  100  pounds  to  the  Acre  over  those  receiving  none. 

Barley          ......          400  pounds  of  grain. 

Corn  .          .          .          .          .          .          280  pounds  of  grain. 

Oats  ......          400  pounds  of  grain. 

Rye    .......          300  pounds  of  grain. 

Wheat          ......          300  pounds  of  grain. 

Potatoes       ......     3,600  pounds  of  tubers. 

Hay    ......  1 ,000  pounds,  barn-cured. 

Cotton         ......    500  pounds  seed-cotton. 

Sugar-Beets  .....     4,000  pounds  of  tubers. 

Beets  ......     4,000  pounds  of  tubers. 

Sweet  Potatoes      .....     3,900  pounds  of  tubers. 

Cabbages     .......  6,100  pounds. 

Carrots         .......  7,800  pounds. 

Onions         .......  1,800  pounds. 

Turnips       .          .          .          .  .          .          -37  Per  cent. 

Strawberries  .......       200  quarts. 

Asparagus    .          .          .          .          .          •          .  100  bunches. 

Tomatoes     .          .          .  .  .  .          .          .100  baskets. 

Celery          ........     30  per  cent. 


Index. 


PAGE 

Analysis  of  Orange  Trees 13 

Analysis  of  the  Soil,  Value  of 14 

Authorities  Consulted Preface 

Barn-yard  Manure 12 

Barn-yard  Manure  does  not  Satisfy  the  Food  Requirements  of  Citrus  Trees     i  2 

Barn-yard  Manure,  How  to  Apply 20 

Basic  Slag 16 

Bergamot,  The 25 

Budding 9 

Budding,  Best  Season  for , i  o 

Buds,  Spring i  o 

Buds,  Treatment  of  the i  o 

Chemical  Manures,  Typical  Formula  of 15 

Citron,  The 25 

Citrus  Fruits,  The  Cultivation  of,  an  Important  Industry 5 

Citrus  Fruits,  The  Cultivation  of,  Remunerative 5 

Citrus  Fruits,  The  Cultivation  of,  Requires   Expert  Knowledge 5 

Citrus  Species,   Minor.  ... .      25 

Clearing  the  Land . 8 

Climatic  Conditions  Governing  Selection  of  Site  for  Plantation.  .......   5,  6 

Cold,  The  Danger  Point  of 6 

Cultivation 22 

Cultivation,  Objects  of 22 

"Die-back" 15,  23 

Drainage 6,  8 

Fertilization    1 1 ,    23,  24 

Fertilization,  Limits  of  ....     20 

Fertilizers,  How  to  be  Distributed 21,22 

Fertilizers,  Time  and  Manner  of  Application  of 20,  2  i 

Field  Crop,  Advisability  of  Growing  a  Preliminary 8 

Florida  Agricultural  Experiment  Station  ;  Bulletin  No.  58 24 

Flowering  Period,  Manures  Not  to  be  Applied  During  the 21 

General  Directions  for  Staple  Crops 26 

General  Formula  of  Chemical  Manures,  How  to  be  Modified 16 

Green  Manuring 17 

Gum  Disease 23 

Hexagons,  Planting  in 1 1 

Horn  Shavings 1 7 

Horse  Beans 1 8 

Increased  Yield  per  Acre  of  Crops  Receiving  Nitrate 28 

Intensive  Cultivation,  Fertilization  Essential  to 1 1 ,  17 

Irrigation 21 

Land,  Preparation  of  the 6,  8 

Lemon,  The 5»  25 

Lemon,  The,  Stock  for    24 

Lime,  The 5,  25 

Limits  of  This  Treatise 5 

Mandarin  Oranges 19 

Manures,  Organic 17,  18,    23 


PAGE 

Manures,  The  Rational  Application  of 12 

Maturity  of  Crop,  Earlier  or  Later,  How  to  be  Regulated 21 

Nitrate  of  Soda 14,  15,  1 6,  17 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  Characteristic  Effects  of 17 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  Nitrogen-Contents  of 17 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  the  Best  Source  of  Nitrogen  for  Citrus  Fruits 14 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  The  Nitrogen  of 17 

Nitrate  of  Soda,  Time  and  Manner  of  Application  of. 20 

Nitrification 1 6 

Nitrogen,  Ammoniacal 1 6 

Nitrogen,  An  Excess  of,  to  be  Avoided 15 

Nitrogen,  Nitrate 14,  1 8 

Nitrogen,  Organic 15,  1 8 

Nitrogen,  Organic,  111  Effects  of  its  Injudicious  Application 15 

Number  of  Trees  per  Acre  of  Plantation I  o,  1 1 

Nursery,  Distance  Between  the  Plants  in  the 9,  10 

Nursery,  Distance  Between  the  Rows  in  the 9,  10 

Nursery,  Lifting  From  the 1 1 

Nursery,  Planting  Out  in  the I  I 

Orange,  Diseases  of  the 23 

Orange  Plantations,  The  Produce  of    14 

Orange  Seedlings,  Unprofitable  to  Plant 8 

Orange,  The,  Does  Not  Come  True  from  Seed 8 

Orange,  The,  Requires  Good,  Clean  Tillage 8 

Orange,  The,  Should  Have  Undisputed   Possession  of  the  Soil  of  the 

Plantation 8 

Orange  Trees  Fruiting  Scantily,  Treatment  of 19 

Orange  Trees,  Nurseries  of , 20 

Orange  Trees,  Old,  Fertilizers  for 1 8 

Orange  Trees,  Sickly,  Fertilizers  for 19 

Orange  Trees,  Young,  Fertilizers  for i  8 

Orange  Tree,  The  Chemical  Composition  of  the 13 

Phosphoric  Acid 14,  15 

Plantation,  Selection  of  Site  for 6 

Plantation,  The  Soil  of  the,  Preparation  of 6,  8 

Plant  Food,  Constituents  of,  Removed  from  the  Soil  by  Orange  Crop .  .      12 

Planting,  Arrangement  of  Trees  in 1 1 

Planting  Out  in  the  Nursery 9 

Pomelos 5 ,  9,  23 

Pomelos,  Fertilizers  for 23 

Pomelo  Seedlings 9 

Pomelo  Stock,  The 9 

Potash    14,  15 

Potash  Salts 1 6 

Potash,  Sulphate  of 1 6,  20 

Preparation  of  the  Land 8 

Propagation 8 

Pruning    22 

Rainfall.  6 


Re-grafting 19,  22 

Seedlings,  How  Grown   .....    9 

Seedlings,  How  to  be  Lifted 9 

Seedling  Stock,  Choice  of 8,  9 

Seed  Plot,  The 20 

Seed,  Selection  of 7 

Setting  Out I  o 

Soil,  Exhaustion  of  the 12 

Soils,  Physical  Qualities  of 14. 

Soils  Suitable  for  Plantations  of  Citrus  Fruits 6,7 

Sour-Orange  Stock,  The 9 

Sowing,  Best  Time  for 8 

Staking i  o 

Stocks  for  Budding,  Choice  of 8 

Stocks  for  Budding,  Grown  from  Seed 8 

Sulphate  of  Ammonia 1 6 

Sulphate  of  Iron 19 

Sulphate  of  Lime 19 

Sulphate  of  Potash 14 

Superphosphate  of  Lime 1 6 

Sweet-Orange,  The,  a  Surf  ace- Rooting  Stock 9 

Table  Showing  Prices  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  on  the  Ammoniate  Basis.  ...  27 

Thomas  Phosphate 1 6 

Tillage , 22 

Tillage,  Depth  of 22,  23 

Top,  Reducing  the,  at  Transplantation 1 1 

Transplanting I  o,  I  I 

Trees,  Number  of,  to  the  Acre i  o 

Varieties,  Selection  of 7,  8 

Vicia  Faba , 1 8 

"Working-Over"  ...    19 


received  from  farmers  and 
prospective  consumers  interested    in   the  use   of 
^^-^  Nitrate  of  Soda,  who  are  unable  to  secure  it  in 
their  immediate  vicinity,  will  be  referred  to  reliable  dealers 
who  will  furnish  them  with  this  special  fertilizer.   Formulas 
and  valuable  information  sent  free* 

Below  will  be  found  a  list  of  pamphlets  relating  to 
the  use  of  Nitrate  of  Soda  as  a  fertilizer,  which  will  be 
furnished  gratis  to  persons  desiring  information  upon  any 
of  the  subjects  named* 


Cultivation  of  Citrus  Fruits. 

*  Field  Experiments  on  Market  Garden  Crops. 
Food  for  Plants. 

*  Notes  on  Four  Years'  Experiments. 
Sugar-Beets  for  Profit. 

Olive  Culture. 

*  Market  Gardening  with  Nitrate. 
The  Cultivation  of  the  Sugar  Cane. 
The  Cultivation  of  Tobacco. 

The  Cultivation  of  Cotton. 

Coffee  Planting. 

Grass  Growing  for  Profit. 

*  Included  in  "  Food  for  Plants." 


WILLIAM  S*  MYERS,  F.  C  S.,  Director 

Nitrate  Propaganda 

John  Street  and  71  Nassau,  New  York 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


CtC    4   1935 


2005 


LD  21-100m-7,'33 


YC  62118 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


